To report the prevalence of dry eye in a large population-based sample of French individuals older than 75 years.

Methods

About 9000 individuals 65 years and older were included in the 3C cohort study since 1999 in 3 French cities (Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier). In Dijon, an additional ophthalmic examination was performed 10 years after the initial inclusions to assess the relation between systemic age-related diseases and eye diseases in the MONTRACHET Study (Maculopathy Optic Nerve nuTRition neurovAsCular and HEarT diseases). Dry eye symptoms were collected with self reported history of dry eye symptoms, use of topical medications and evaluated by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Every patient underwent ophthalmic evaluation which included Schirmer I test without anesthesia, tear film break up time measurement and fluorescein cornea1 staining evaluation. Prevalence of dry eye was evaluated with subjective criteria (history and OSDI questionnaire) and objective criteria.

Results

One thousand and twenty four subjects were included in the study. Mean age was 83.7 ± 3.8 years old. 62.9% of the patients were women (644). Prevalence of dry eye is reported in Tables 1 and 2. (Δ : Variable; BUT : Break-Up-Time; Fluo : Fluorescein staining; - : Négative; + : Positive)

Conclusions

As reported in the literature, this study shows wide variations in dry eye prevalence depending on the sign or symptoms considered.